Survey of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities in Northen California vineyards and mycorrhizal colonization potential of grapvine nursery stock

• Author(s): Baumgartner, Kendra; Cheng, X.;
• Abstract: Indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal communities were characterized by examining spores in five fumigated and five nonfumigated vineyards in Northern California. None of the vineyards surveyed lacked spores, but species composition differed among the vineyards. Most of the fungi were in the genus Glomus; Paraglomus occultum Morton & Redecker, G. etunicatum Becker & Gerd., and G. aggregatum Schenck & Smith emend. Koske were the most common species identified. Fungal diversity was greater in nonfumigated than in fumigated vineyards. Field-propagated grapevine nursery stock was examined as a potential source of AM fungi for fumigated vineyards. We quantified fungal colonization of new roots initiated from field-grown benchgrafts and potted benchgrafts of Cabernet Sauvignon on three rootstocks (101-14, 110R, and St. George). After 7 months of growth in the greenhouse, new roots initiated from dormant roots of field-grown and potted benchgrafts were colonized by AM fungi. Mycorrhizal colonization of new roots of field-grown benchgrafts was significantly higher than that of potted benchgrafts. Our results suggest that field-propagated nursery stock can serve as a source of AM fungi and may be better suited for fumigated and/or low phosphorus soils than potted benchgrafts.
• Publication Date: Dec 2004
• Journal: Hortscience